Meanwhile, back at the inn…
Jason and the others were packing fast. Time was running thin. If the enemy caught wind of their location, the whole place would go up in flames—figuratively or literally.
Jason zipped up his bag and turned to Flux.
"Head down. Grab what you can from Madam Nanali. Don't take long."
Flux nodded, unaware of the storm brewing just outside.
---
At that moment, Bon and Jinx had already made it inside the inn.
Bon held up her phone, scanning the faces of strangers. "Have you seen this person?" she asked the receptionist coldly. Jinx leaned against the wall beside her, eyes flicking around with a twisted grin.
Meanwhile, Flux made his way to the lobby when a hand yanked him into the shadows.
"Hey! What the hell—?!" Flux struggled.
"Shh. Talk. Now," Xiomara said in her thick accent, dragging him behind a pillar.
"Talk about what?! I don't have time for games!"
"People looking for your friends," she said, pointing to Bon across the room.
Flux's gaze followed her finger—and froze. His chest tightened.
"Who... who the hell are those people?"
He turned to leave but paused. "Wait—how do you know I'm with—?"
"Saw you. Come from room. Friends of Logan... friend of me too."
Flux stared for a second, then nodded. "Thanks." And bolted for the stairs.
But just as he reached them—
"Hey, you."
Bon's voice stopped him cold.
He turned slowly.
She walked up, phone raised. "Seen this person?"
Flux's throat tightened. He glanced at the screen—Jason's face.
Play dumb. Run. Get out.
He cleared his throat. "I—I don't know him. Sorry."
He turned to leave.
Bon grabbed his wrist, eyes sharp. "You hesitated. Lying, huh?"
Her voice dropped, venom in her tone. "One last time. Do. You. Know. Him?"
Flux yanked his arm back, heart thundering. "I said I don't! Back off, lady! Damn—what's with you people?!"
He stormed off, body trembling.
Jinx chuckled darkly. "Want me to cut him down?"
Bon narrowed her eyes after Flux. "No. Not yet. He knows something. I saw it. The flicker. The fear."
She smirked. "His here. I can feel it."
Jinx cracked his knuckles. "Then let's smoke him out."
Bon's smile was razor-sharp. "Exactly."
Flux was gasping for air when he caught up with Jason and the others. "Guys, trouble downstairs. Two people or more I don't know—looking for Jason and..." His eyes flicked to Liam. "You know who."
Liam shot a worried look at Jason. "What's going on? Why are we leaving? Is something wrong?"
Jason crouched down, voice low and hard. "Sorry, Liam." Without hesitation, he knocked Liam out and hoisted him up.
Ethan snapped, "Jason, you can't just knock him out — he's still a kid!"
Jason's gaze went icy. "And what? You think explaining all this to him would've helped?"
Ethan stayed silent.
Just then, Madam Nanali appeared across the hall, rushing toward them. Brandon's eyes darkened. "What's she doing here?" He stepped forward, but Jason cut him off with a sharp signal to wait.
Nanali's voice was sharp. "I knew you were up to no good." She locked eyes with Jason. "People downstairs are hunting you... and your so-called son."
Jason's tone was cold. "What, you planning to rat us out?"
Nanali scoffed. "Trust me, I'm no snitch. But there's a bounty on your head. And..." She clenched her fist, eyes hardening as she pointed at Liam. "He's the first real friend Xiomara's ever had. I won't let him get hurt—not with those dangerous people on your trail." She pulled a card from her pocket and pressed it into Ethan's hand. "Go here." She handed over a rough map. "Show this card to the woman there. Tell her I sent you."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And why should we trust you?"
Before he could finish, Daphne took the card, voice firm. "Thanks for the gesture. We won't forget it."
Nanali smiled, a cold edge in it. "At least one of you has manners. Now get moving. Back door's just around the corner. Use it."
They turned to leave. Jason paused, glancing back. "Thanks."
Nanali spat, "Hope we don't cross paths again, bastard."
Jason smirked but didn't look back.
As Nanali headed downstairs, she met Bon and Jinx in the hall. Her voice was steady, but tense. "What do you think you're doing here? The bathroom's the other way."
Bon stepped closer, eyes locked on hers. "What are you hiding?"
Nanali's gaze faltered — for the first time, her calm cracked.
Bon's eyes snapped open as she barked, "Damn it, Jinx! Move—NOW!" She'd pieced it together too late. Jason and the others were already gone.
They tore the place apart searching, but no trace. Frustration boiled over as Bon stormed back inside. "Where the hell did you send them? Are you working with them?!"
Madam Nanali looked up, calm as ever, like she had no clue what Bon was talking about. "I don't know what you mean."
Bon grabbed a glass, smashed it on the floor, then slammed her hand on Nanali's chest, lifting her off balance. "Don't play dumb with me. I know you helped them escape."
Jinx whistled, grinning. "Better start talking, unless you wanna see Bon really lose it."
Nanali struggled, her voice shaky, "Let me go! If you don't, I'll call the cops—I haven't done anything wrong!" Bon finally released her and Nanali collapsed, coughing.
Xiomara rushed over, "Mamman! ès ou byen?"
Bon turned icy cold, "We're done here. Let's move."
She spun on her heel, but Xiomara shouted after them, "You'll never find them! They're long gone!"
Bon paused, raised her blade to slash at Xiomara, but before it landed, Zayan lunged forward and stopped it with a glare full of fire.
"Touch my little sis, and I'll make you regret every second you breathe."
Bon sneered, "No time for trash like you. Let's go."
Jinx laughed, "Bye-bye!"
Zayan looked at Xiomara, concern flashing in his eyes. "You alright?"
Xiomara stuck out her tongue, then went to help her mother up. "I'm fine, xiomara."
Zayan put his hands on his hips, frustration thick in his voice. "Why'd you get mixed up with people like them?"
Nanali shot him a sharp glare. "Since when do you care about this shop or what we do? Never cared before—so why now?"
"This isn't the time to—"
Nanali snapped, standing tall, voice cutting deep. "Not the time? When is the time? Ou swiv testaman sòt papa'w epi ou kite manman'w ek sè'w dèyè — épi kounyé-a ou kwè ou ni dwa di mwen sa pou mwen fè?"
Zayan clenched his fists, defeated. "Fine, fine. Mwen ka alè. Mwen ka alè."
She clicked her tongue as he stormed off with his crew, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Meanwhile, Aiden had already arrived at the location Zayan had purposely led them to. They tracked the signal until they found 038—bound and gagged, arms and legs tied tight, slumped in the corner of the abandoned shack.
She struggled as they approached. Once untied, she stumbled forward, breathing hard.
"I'm sorry," she said, voice hoarse, eyes down. "I let my guard down. I was careless… this is all on me."
Aiden didn't even look at her. He clicked his tongue and muttered, "Save the apology. Do you remember anything useful?"
038 straightened. "Yes. I know where they are."
Aiden's eyes narrowed. "Not like they'll still be there… but it's a lead. Let's move."
They piled into the vehicles and sped off.
At the inn, they were greeted by Madam Nanali. Aiden stepped forward, pulled out his phone, and held up a photo to her.
"Have you seen this man? He's dangerous. Wanted. He's taken a child too."
Nanali's expression didn't flinch, but her hands twitched slightly. "Did you say... kidnapped?"
"Yes," Aiden said. "He was spotted right here. In your inn."
She hesitated for a second, then spoke calmly. "If he was, he's long gone by now."
Her jaw clenched. Deep down, she couldn't believe she had helped them escape. But she'd made her choice. Whatever happened to them from here on wasn't her problem.
Aiden narrowed his gaze. "If you see him again, call me." He handed her a card.
As he turned to leave, he stopped. "By any chance... did you see a boy with him?"
Nanali blinked. "A boy?"
"Yes. The kidnapped child." He handed her a photo of Liam.
She leaned closer, then muttered under her breath, "He looks... different."
Just then, Xiomara's voice rang out behind her. "Logan!"
Aiden spun around, crouching to Xiomara's level. "You know him?"
She nodded, excited. "Yes! Logan is my friend."
Aiden's fist tightened. "They even gave him a new name, those bastards…"
Xiomara paused, then added, "But... Logan has white hair. Not black like the photo."
Aiden's eyes sharpened. He touched his comms.
"Update the profile. We're no longer looking for a black-haired child. The target has white hair—repeat, white hair."
He looked back at Xiomara and gave a firm nod. "Thank you."
As he turned and walked out, Nanali stood frozen.
Once they were gone, she slammed her hand on the counter, fury and regret crashing through her chest.
"Merde! Mwen pa ka kwè mwen édé sé sot sala... sa ki té pasé an tèt mwen?"
The cold night air hit Aiden's face as he stepped out of the inn, his fist still clenched from the heated exchange. Xiomara's words echoed in his mind, her eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and defiance.
He slid into the driver's seat of the black SUV, the engine growling to life beneath him. His comms crackled — a new directive coming in, sharp and urgent.
"Change of plans," Aiden muttered,
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as the vehicle tore through the night toward the new coordinates. The city lights blurred past, but his mind was locked on one thing: finding the boy before the others do.
"Time's running out," he whispered. "And I'm not letting them slip away again."
Nightfall. The Outskirts of Town.
The moon hung low, casting pale light over the dirt path as Jason led the group through a narrow alley, Liam still slumped on his back, breathing softly.
Brandon scanned the area with the map. "The location Madam Nanali marked… it's still a bit off. We'll need to cross the old freight yard."
Flux groaned, dragging his steps. "Seriously? We've been walking for hours—my legs are about to fall off."
"Then let them," Ethan snapped. "Better that than your head. Keep moving."
Jason didn't speak. His jaw was tight, eyes scanning rooftops and corners. Every shadow could hide a rifle. Every silence could break with footsteps.
Daphne moved closer to check Liam. "He's burning up... Jason, he needs rest soon."
"I know," Jason muttered. He looked at her, then back ahead. "We stop when it's safe."
Brandon scanned the map, eyes narrowing. Then he looked ahead through the foggy street. Map. Road. Map again.
"That's the place," he muttered.
Jason followed his line of sight. "Then let's confirm it." He took one step forward, but Ethan reached out, stopping him.
"Hold on. Can we even trust that woman? What if it's a setup?"
Jason turned to him, face unreadable. "We don't have the luxury of trust. Just stay sharp."
Ethan hesitated, then nodded. The group approached the run-down motel—an aging building cloaked in silence. Jason knocked once. No answer. He knocked again, firmer this time.
A groan echoed from inside, followed by hurried footsteps. The door flung open to reveal a woman—mid-twenties, wine-colored hair cascading down her shoulder, a robe loosely wrapped around her. She looked exhausted and irritable.
"Kilès la? Kilès la? Mwen ja di nou nou fèmen!"
Jason didn't flinch. He opened his mouth to speak—but she froze when she saw him.
"Well… well… look what the wind dragged in," she purred, her tiredness melting into a sly grin.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
Jason's gaze stayed locked on hers. "We were sent and..."
She stepped closer, slowly,"Mmm. Pretty eyes. Dangerous vibe. Definitely trouble." Jason raised an eyebrow "we're not here for small talk—" Then, with a mischievous smile, she lifted a finger to his lips. "Less talking. More showing."
Before Jason could react Daphne stepped between them flushed and clearly irritated. She snatched the card from Ethan and shoved it into the woman's hand.
"We didn't come here to flirt. This is for you."
The woman blinked, took the card, glanced over it—then her smile shifted. Tighter. More guarded.
"Nanali sent you?" she hissed under her breath. "Tch… I told her to stop dragging me into her mess."
She sighed, then her eyes flicked back to Jason. Her voice softened again. "But I suppose… for you? I'll make an exception."
Jason leaned in slightly, voice cold and sharp. "We're not here for games. Just show us the room."
She smirked. "Straight to business. I like that."
As the group began stepping in, the woman reached an arm across Ethan, blocking him. "Did I say you could come in, hothead?"
Ethan's fists clenched, but Brandon stepped between them, throwing a casual arm around Ethan's shoulder. "Sorry. Our flame-haired friend's got a temper but he means well. Mostly." He winks at her.
The woman raised a brow, amused. "Interesting bunch. This'll be fun. Come on in—but don't break anything… or anyone."
Inside, the motel was dimly lit, quiet, and surprisingly clean. The woman led them down a narrow hallway, hips swaying with every step, but Jason's attention never wavered. His eyes moved from every creaking floorboard to every closed door they passed.
She stopped at the end of the hall and unlocked a door. "You can stay here for as long as you like. Don't trash it," she said, tossing the key onto the nearby table. "I'll bring you what you need. But make no mistake—if heat falls on me because of you, I'll hand you over myself."
Jason didn't flinch. "Understood."
She lingered a moment longer, then turned on her heel and walked off.
Once the door shut, flux muttered, "Friendly woman…"
Daphne rolled her eyes. "You mean shameless."
Liam's eyes flew open. Without warning, he started thrashing atop Jason's back. "Ah—put me down! You carried me like luggage again!"
Jason exhaled sharply and set Liam on his feet. "You okay?"
Liam put his hands on his hips, abdomen tightening as he shifted. "I—yeah, I'm fine—" His stomach growled loudly and his face flushed scarlet.
Daphne stepped forward. "You hungry?"
Liam's gaze dropped to the floor. "Uh… I guess. But—why did we leave that old place? I really liked it there. I never even got to say goodbye to Xiomara…" Tears welled in his eyes.
Jason crouched to his level, voice calm but firm. "I know. I'm sorry. We'll go back to see her, I promise."
Instantly, Liam's face lit up. "Really? Thanks, Jason!"
Jason rose and brushed past the others. "Alright—there has to be somewhere around here with food. Come on."
As he left the room, Daphne followed silently.
They entered a rundown inn kitchen. Behind a chair sat the owner, her wine-colored hair cascading over one shoulder, combing it with slow precision.
Jason's voice cut the quiet. "You got anything edible?"
She glanced at him, cool and unimpressed. "Cook? Me? Look at the place. Business is dead. No customers. But… I do help fugitives now and then—people on the run."
Daphne stepped forward, voice earnest. "Please, ma'am. Just something small. Liam's really hungry."
The woman stared at Liam, then nodded. "Fine. I'll help." She disappeared into the back and returned with a few sad-looking ingredients. "Bouyon Fig. It's simple. Grab these."
Daphne blinked, then managed a polite smile. "Thank you."
They returned to the main room. Brandon was already pacing the table. "Did you get anything?"
Daphne hesitated. "Uhh—kinda," she said, holding up the ingredients the woman gave her. Her smile was nervous.
"Anyone here know how to cook bouyon fig...?"
Silence.
Brandon scratched his head, then shrugged. "We'll figure it out."
They placed the ingredients on the table like they were analyzing top-secret intel. Everyone stood around, staring at them like the food might cook itself.
Brandon leaned in, squinting. "Yeah... this isn't working."
Then, Liam stepped forward confidently, arms crossed.
"I know how to make bouyon fig."
Every eye locked in him.
Jason raised a brow. "You do?"
Liam smirked. "What? You think I just sleep all day on people's backs?"